Chapter 116: Volume 1, Chapter 116: His Majesty Has Fainted

Ming Yuhua froze, looking at Rong Luoge for a long while without knowing what to say, and instead her eyes reddened and tears nearly fell.

She used to have things too smooth, always the most favored one in the family since childhood, but never expected that only in the end would she realize it was all just a joke.

Her favorite aunt had arranged a mistress for her father, the cousin she liked most could not marry her for the sake of imperial power, the friend she once trusted was only using her, and now even the last trace of warmth was gone—her mother had divorced.

The successive upheavals had made her silent and cantankerous, displeased with everything she saw, but she also knew that her throwing tantrums was useless, because there was no longer anyone who would coax her.

Rong Luoge looked at Ming Yuhua like this and did not know whether to laugh or cry, so she said, "A person's life is long. These are not such big matters you've encountered. Look at me—doesn't that make you feel more at peace?"

Ming Yuhua was amused again. "Is there anyone who talks like you? Are you telling me to laugh or to cry?"

"Better to laugh. Life is already bitter enough; we should make ourselves a bit happier."

Ming Yuhua sighed. "I never thought before that one day I would end up in such a wretched state. I always thought my life was like the sun in the sky, and in such a short time I've gone from the sun to a lantern." She then looked at Rong Luoge. "What I said earlier was true. I've thought it through—if a woman cannot rely on her maiden family in this life, she can only rely on her husband's family. I want to marry someone powerful and influential, someone who can let me live freely. I don't care how old the other party is, or whether they already have children…"

"Wait a moment." Rong Luoge looked at Ming Yuhua. "You must be mad. How can you debase yourself like this?"

"I am serious."

Rong Luoge frowned slightly. "Why do this?"

"I don't want to return to Hedong, nor do I want to stay in the General's Manor watching my father. Other than marrying, there is no other way. Although my parents have divorced, I am still the daughter of the Grand General and the niece of Consort Ming. This moment is the best opportunity for me to find the best match."

Too calm, too rational—she had clearly turned this matter over in her mind for a long time already.

Rong Luoge looked at her and said, "Then I cannot blindly agree to you either. I can only say I will ask on your behalf. You should know that the powerful and influential men who can reach high positions are basically all much older than you."

To hold power in one's own hands, first those young masters of noble houses who had not yet entered officialdom and relied only on their families were ruled out.

Someone like Han Xinglan, born destined to stand above others—since Ming Yuhua was Consort Ming's niece, anyone who did not wish to get dragged into the succession struggle would absolutely not marry her either.

So Ming Yuhua was not wrong: even though her family background was quite good, finding a husband who satisfied her in every way was not easy.

Rong Luoge looked at Ming Yuhua. "Have you truly made up your mind?"

Ming Yuhua nodded. "Yes. I will never reconcile with my father or my aunt in this life. I hate them to death."

Rong Luoge lowered her gaze slightly, then thought for a moment and looked at Ming Yuhua, saying, "Though you say so, in the eyes of outsiders, you are still someone of Consort Ming's faction."

Ming Yuhua gave a bitter laugh. "That is exactly why I came to you."

Rong Luoge stared at Ming Yuhua; she had not expected that she actually wanted to make an enemy of Consort Ming.

Ming Yuhua saw Rong Luoge hesitating and said bluntly, "Let me put it this way: I know the Crown Prince and Prince Qi are not on good terms. I am willing to serve His Highness the Crown Prince, using my marriage as a bargaining chip to deceive Consort Ming and my father."

Rong Luoge: …

"Ming Yuhua, even if you say so, I have no way to believe you." Rong Luoge truly could not be certain whether her words were true or false. With matters concerning Han Xinglan, this was no longer a private affair between her and Ming Yuhua.

Ming Yuhua nodded with a calm expression. "I know. After all, I am Prince Qi's cousin, and for the sake of His Highness the Crown Prince you cannot easily trust me either. To show my sincerity in pledging allegiance, I have something here—please pass it to His Highness the Crown Prince on my behalf."

"What is it?" Rong Luoge asked, watching Ming Yuhua place a palm-sized sweet-white porcelain bottle on the table.

"You don't want to know. Even I felt sick looking at it, unable to believe this was something my aunt did." Ming Yuhua then took out a letter and handed it over. "As a show of sincerity, this is my letter of allegiance to His Highness the Crown Prince."

Rong Luoge: …

"You really are thoroughly prepared," Rong Luoge said, looking at Ming Yuhua.

Ming Yuhua seemed to have finally made her decision, and her whole person relaxed a little. She smiled and said, "You might not believe it, but before coming I made preparations for two outcomes. I thought, if you kicked me while I was down, I would just leave in a huff. If you had a kind heart and lent me a hand, I would switch sides to the Crown Prince."

"So I actually have some use here?" Rong Luoge shook her head. "What does the decision you make have to do with me? Ultimately, this is your lifelong matter. You should know that after you make this decision, His Highness the Crown Prince will not go easy on you out of regard for our friendship either. Since you are choosing a political marriage, and one with a purpose, it is very likely your marriage partner will not be so easy to get along with, and you must be prepared for that. You will gain the power and influence you want, and correspondingly you will have to give up something—and what exactly that something is, only you will be able to experience for yourself after you marry. I cannot foresee any of this, you understand?"

Ming Yuhua had not expected that at this point Rong Luoge was still urging her to think twice. If it were anyone else, even for their own interests, they would likely have agreed to her.

She had indeed not misjudged the person.

"I know. I am not afraid, and I am prepared," Ming Yuhua said firmly. She wanted to strike back at her father, to take revenge on Consort Ming and her cousin, and for that she could only stand in a position higher than theirs.

For this, she was willing to give everything she could give.

Rong Luoge could tell at a glance that she could not be talked out of it, so she put the things away and looked at her, saying, "I will do my best to ask His Highness to find you a good husband."

"Thank you." Ming Yuhua smiled genuinely this time. "Rong Luoge, the thing I am most grateful for right now is that I reconciled with you back then."

Rong Luoge's mouth twitched. "I really must thank you for handing me this difficult problem."

After Rong Luoge returned to the Dong Gong, she thought about how Ming Yuhua had once been such an innocent young lady, and was now driven into becoming a black-hearted lotus—this world was just that cruel.

Han Xinglan returned somewhat late today. After the start of summer the weather grew ever hotter. Rong Luoge sat by the window enjoying the cool breeze, reading while waiting for the Crown Prince, and it was not until the lanterns were first lit that Han Xinglan returned, stepping through the night. His expression did not look particularly pleased.

Rong Luoge rose and went out to meet him. Seeing her come out, Han Xinglan quickened his steps and entered through the door.

Rong Luoge looked at his face and said softly, "What is it? You look like you're in a poor mood."

Han Xinglan fixed his gaze on Rong Luoge. "Today during the Wei hour, His Majesty fainted at the Daoist temple."

Rong Luoge's heart trembled, meeting Han Xinglan's eyes, her heartbeat pounding like a drum.